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The Trump Administration has approved a 60-day suspension of the Jones Act, aiming to ease pressure on fuel prices and stabilize supply chains disrupted by escalating tensions involving Iran.

The century-old law typically requires that goods transported between U.S. ports travel on ships that are American-built, owned, and crewed. By temporarily lifting these restrictions, the administration is allowing foreign vessels to move key resources—including oil, natural gas, fertilizer, and coal—between domestic ports, expanding shipping capacity and improving delivery speed.

White House press secretary Karoline Leavitt said in a statement on X: “President Trump’s decision to issue a 60-day Jones Act waiver is just another step to mitigate the short-term disruptions to the oil market as the U.S. military continues meeting the objectives of Operation Epic Fury. This action will allow vital resources like oil, natural gas, fertilizer, and coal to flow freely to U.S. ports for sixty days, and the Administration remains committed to continuing to strengthen our critical supply chains.”

The policy shift comes as energy prices surge sharply. Since late February, gasoline prices have climbed to an average of $3.84 per gallon, while diesel has exceeded $5.00—significant increases from both a month ago and the previous year. Analysts attribute much of the spike to conflict-related disruptions, particularly in the Strait of Hormuz, a critical transit route handling roughly 20% of global oil shipments. Restrictions in that region have tightened supply and rattled markets worldwide.

The waiver also addresses strain on fertilizer availability, an issue with direct consequences for U.S. agriculture. By opening access to more ships, suppliers can move goods more efficiently along the coasts. However, experts caution that the impact on prices may be limited. Estimates suggest the change could lower fuel costs by only a few cents per gallon. Some industry voices, including maritime advocacy groups, have raised concerns that the temporary exemption could disadvantage U.S. shipping companies and workers if overused.

Additional measures are also being deployed to manage the economic fallout, including tapping emergency oil reserves and easing certain sanctions—such as allowing U.S. firms to engage with Venezuela’s state-run energy sector.

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Senior U.S. intelligence officials faced sharp questioning on Capitol Hill during a high-stakes Senate hearing on global threats, with lawmakers zeroing in on the ongoing conflict with Iran, domestic security concerns, and the integrity of upcoming U.S. elections.

Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard repeatedly declined to discuss whether she warned President Donald Trump that Iran could retaliate by targeting Gulf nations or shutting down the Strait of Hormuz—a critical route for global energy supplies—if attacked. Pressed by lawmakers, she maintained: “I have not and won’t divulge internal conversations. I will say that those of us within the intelligence community continue to provide the president with all of the best objective intelligence available to inform his decisions.

Her reluctance frustrated Democratic senators, who sought clarity on whether the administration had anticipated Iran’s response. The hearing also unfolded against the backdrop of controversy surrounding a U.S. strike in Iran that reportedly hit an elementary school, killing more than 165 people. Lawmakers signaled they would examine whether outdated intelligence contributed to the incident, which the White House says is under review.

Internal disagreements have also surfaced, highlighted by the resignation of counterterrorism official Joe Kent, who said he could not “in good conscience” support the war. CIA Director John Ratcliffe pushed back, telling senators, “The intelligence reflects the contrary,” while Gabbard avoided directly stating whether Iran posed an “imminent threat,” saying that determination lies with the president. She did note that Iran’s military capabilities have been significantly weakened but warned the country could rebuild over time.

Gabbard, however, avoided directly answering whether Iran posed an “imminent threat,” telling lawmakers that determining such a threat ultimately rests with the president. That response drew pushback from senators who argued it is the intelligence community’s responsibility to assess national security risks.

In her broader assessment, Gabbard described Iran’s leadership as weakened but still standing, noting the country’s military capabilities have been significantly degraded. She warned that internal instability could grow as economic conditions worsen and suggested that, if the current regime endures, it may attempt to rebuild its military strength over time.

Beyond foreign policy, lawmakers raised concerns about domestic security following a string of violent incidents linked to extremist motivations, including attacks in Texas, Michigan, Virginia, and New York. Officials emphasized ongoing efforts to prevent further threats but acknowledged the heightened risk environment. When asked directly whether foreign threats to upcoming elections exist, Gabbard avoided a clear answer, instead pointing to broader intelligence priorities aligned with the administration’s national security strategy. That prompted a pointed exchange, with one senator noting that the lack of reporting could imply no threat exists—an assertion many lawmakers strongly dispute.

Gabbard also faced scrutiny over her involvement in domestic election-related activities, including her presence at an FBI search of an election office in Fulton County, Georgia. She said she attended at the president’s request but did not participate in the operation, explaining, “I did not participate in a law enforcement activity, nor would I, because that does not exist within my authorities.”

Meanwhile, FBI Director Kash Patel’s leadership has also come under the microscope, particularly after significant personnel changes within the bureau. Lawmakers expressed concern that the loss of experienced agents could weaken national security capabilities at a time of increasing threats.

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A sudden, powerful boom that rattled parts of Ohio and Pennsylvania on Tuesday morning was most likely caused by a meteor streaking through the atmosphere, according to officials.

Residents across northeastern Ohio — including areas near Cleveland — reported hearing what many described as “the loudest boom,” with some saying their homes shook from the force. The sound carried widely, with reports stretching as far as Pennsylvania and even into New York. At the same time, witnesses described seeing a bright fireball and a glowing streak racing across the sky.

The National Weather Service confirmed that “the boom was a result of a meteor,” citing satellite data and lightning-detection technology. Imagery from National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration satellites showed a brief flash over the region despite clear skies, a key sign of a meteor rather than lightning. A NASA spokesperson also confirmed the news to News 5 Cleveland, noting that it was spotted near Medina.

A video captured by an employee at the weather service’s Pittsburgh office showed the object blazing through the sky with a long, fiery tail. Additional confirmation came from NASA, which reported a meteor sighting near Medina, about 25 miles south of Cleveland.

19 News Meteorologist Jeff Tanchak explained that the booming sound likely occurred when the object broke the sound barrier as it entered Earth’s atmosphere. While the exact timing and trajectory remain unclear, no injuries or damage have been reported.

More than 100 sightings were submitted to the American Meteor Society from multiple states, including Ohio, Pennsylvania, and beyond, highlighting just how widely the event was observed. Scientists note that space rocks are called meteoroids while traveling in space, become meteors when they burn through the atmosphere, and are classified as meteorites if any fragments reach the ground.

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Joe Kent, director of the National Counterterrorism Center, resigned Tuesday, becoming the highest-ranking official in President Donald Trump’s administration to step down over the ongoing war in Iran Kent’s successor will need to be nominated by the president and confirmed by the Senate.

In a post on social media, Kent said: “After much reflection, I have decided to resign from my position as Director of the National Counterterrorism Center, effective today. I cannot in good conscience support the ongoing war in Iran. Iran posed no imminent threat to our nation, and it is clear that we started this war due to pressure from Israel and its powerful American lobby. It has been an honor serving under @POTUS and @DNIGabbard and leading the professionals at NCTC. May God bless America.”

In his attached letter to the President, Kent said that he warned against continuing a conflict he believes would cost American lives without clear benefit, writing that he “cannot support sending the next generation off to fight and die in a war that serves no benefit to the American people nor justifies the cost of American lives.”

Appointed by Trump in early 2025 and confirmed by the Senate months later, Kent served as the president’s top counterterrorism adviser, overseeing efforts to track and combat global threats. A former Green Beret with extensive combat and intelligence experience, he had previously run unsuccessful congressional campaigns in Washington state and was known for his strong alignment with Trump.

In his resignation letter, Kent pointed to a shift in policy following U.S. and Israeli strikes on Iranian nuclear facilities in mid-2025. He wrote that prior to that moment, the president had recognized that Middle East conflicts often drained American resources and lives. Kent, whose wife was killed in a 2019 suicide bombing in Syria, emphasized the personal cost of war. He also made controversial claims that pro-war sentiment had been fueled by outside influence, asserting that media figures and Israeli officials promoted the idea of an imminent threat. “This echo chamber was used to deceive you into believing that Iran posed an imminent threat to the United States,” he wrote, adding, “This was a lie…”

The resignation comes as the conflict enters its third week and just ahead of expected congressional testimony from intelligence leaders, including Director of National Intelligence Tulsi Gabbard. Kent previously served as her chief of staff, and his departure adds to questions about internal divisions within the administration.

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