• Deputados democratas questionaram com ceticismo o Secretário de Defesa, Pete Hegseth, pela primeira vez desde o início da guerra no Irã, pressionando sobre estratégia e custos durante uma audiência em 29 de abril.
• Um democrata acusou Hegseth de partidarismo, citando suas declarações anteriores em uma discussão acalorada.
• O confronto destaca as divisões partidárias sobre o impacto econômico da guerra e a política externa de Trump, em meio à queda nos índices de aprovação.
Secretário de Defesa será questionado por parlamentares no comitê de serviços armados do Senado após sessão acalorada ontem na Câmara
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Olá e bem-vindo à nossa cobertura da política dos EUA, enquanto Pete Hegseth enfrenta um segundo dia de interrogatório de democratas no Capitólio, com os senadores tendo sua primeira oportunidade de confrontar ou elogiar o chefe do Pentágono sobre sua condução da guerra no Irã. O secretário de defesa duelou com democratas — e alguns republicanos — ontem durante uma audiência de quase seis horas no comitê de serviços armados da Câmara, onde enfrentou perguntas sobre os custos da guerra em dólares, vidas e a diminuição dos estoques de armas críticas.
O crescimento econômico dos EUA provavelmente acelerou no primeiro trimestre devido a uma retomada nos gastos do governo após uma paralisação governamental paralisante. O aumento antecipado no produto interno bruto no último trimestre também refletiria um crescimento robusto no investimento empresarial em equipamentos, impulsionado por um boom de gastos em inteligência artificial e pela construção de data centers que sustentam a tecnologia. Os números serão divulgados às 8h30 ET
Espera-se que o Rei Charles e a Rainha Camilla façam paradas na Virgínia antes de encerrar sua visita aos EUA na Casa Branca, nesta quinta-feira, com uma despedida formal de Trump. Charles viajará então sozinho para as Bermudas em sua primeira visita como rei a um território ultramarino britânico.
O líder da minoria no Senado, Chuck Schumer, disse que os democratas forçarão mais uma vez a votação de uma resolução de poderes de guerra sobre o Irã, pela sexta vez nas últimas semanas. “Esta semana, os democratas forçarão uma votação sobre nossa resolução de poderes de guerra pela sexta vez. Continuaremos a forçar votações todas as semanas enquanto esta guerra persistir”, disse Schumer no plenário do Senado.
A Câmara aprovou uma reautorização de três anos de um divisivo programa de vigilância dos EUA antes de sua expiração na sexta-feira, adicionando novas medidas de supervisão, mas sem chegar à exigência de mandado que os críticos demandavam. Um grande grupo de democratas juntou-se à maioria dos republicanos na aprovação do projeto por 235-191 votos.
Trump reforçou mais uma vez seus sentimentos em relação a James Comey em uma postagem em rede social. Comentando sobre a acusação de que o ex-diretor do FBI pediu que ele fosse morto após postar uma foto de algumas conchas em um padrão mostrando 86 47, Trump escreveu: “‘86’ é um termo da máfia para ‘mate-o’. Eles dizem 86 nele! 86 47 significa ‘matar o Presidente Trump’. James Comey, que é um Policial Sujo, um dos piores, sabe disso muito bem! OITO MILHAS PARA FORA, SEIS PÉS ABAIXO! Ele também não mentiu para o FBI sobre isso??? Acho que sim!”. Trump é o 47º presidente dos EUA.
A maioria conservadora da Suprema Corte dos EUA derrubou um elemento importante da Lei de Direitos de Voto (Voting Rights Act) que protege contra a discriminação racial no redesenho de distritos, em uma decisão que abre caminho para um gerrymandering agressivo em estados de todo o país que poderia afetar as eleições pelos próximos anos.
A Legislatura da Flórida aprovou um novo mapa distrital com a intenção de maximizar a vantagem dos republicanos no estado como parte da batalha nacional de redistritamento que os republicanos lançaram antes das eleições de meio de mandato deste ano.
O presidente do Federal Reserve em fim de mandato, Jerome Powell, disse que permanecerá como governador do banco central quando seu mandato de liderança terminar em pouco mais de duas semanas.
O Departamento de Justiça anunciou na quarta-feira que três manifestantes anti-ICE foram acusados de supostamente agredir Savannah Hernandez, uma vídeojornalista de direita que foi empurrada ao chão durante um confronto com três membros de uma família em frente a um centro de detenção de imigrantes em St Paul, Minnesota, este mês. Continue lendo...
Lack of a sustained plan to end the war has convinced US allies that the White House is running out of ideasNearly eight weeks after Donald Trump launched his assault on Iran, the White House has shifted from a strategy of shock-and-awe bombardments and leadership decapitation to a plan of sustained economic pressure as it tests the wills of a regime practiced over decades at wars of attrition.Since the negotiations stalled, the White House has begun to shift its messaging to say it is willing to wait to strike a more durable deal with Iran – despite the growing economic toll inflicted on the world economy by the closure of the strait of Hormuz. The reason, senior officials have said, is because of the joint US-Israeli strikes were so successful that they have fractured Iran’s leadership and prevented a new consolidation of power. Continue reading...
Rival to government plans would scrap net zero policies, as party aims to woo sector after decades of job lossesReform UK has asked steel bosses to draw up an “alternative steel strategy” to rival recent government plans, stoking industry fears over a charm offensive by Nigel Farage’s party as it eyes gains in former Labour heartlands.Richard Tice, Reform’s deputy leader, met a group of bosses shortly before Labour announced new steel tariffs in March and commissioned them to draft a competing plan that will include scrapping net zero policies. Continue reading...
Tensions around US negotiations may reflect mistake of assassinating more pragmatic and experienced figuresMiddle East crisis – live updatesDonald Trump has claimed that the infighting between moderates and hardliners in Iran’s leadership is so intense that the country has “no idea who their leader is”, but many Iranian experts questioned his analysis, saying that – given the mass assassinations of senior commanders – the country has shown remarkable institutional cohesion.Trump’s allegations of “CRAZY” splits in the Iranian leadership – the second outing for this argument in three days – is remarkable since he has previously said either he has little knowledge of the new Iranian leadership or that there has already been regime change. Continue reading...
• Global private markets platform Moonfare announced a new AI-focused technology strategy targeting early and growth-stage investments for diversified US-relevant AI exposure.
• Strategy features curated portfolio of leading growth managers plus direct investments in category-leading US technology companies driving AI innovation.
• Aims to capitalize on transformative AI advancements, providing investors access to high-potential startups in the booming sector.
• The United Kingdom, United States, Italy, and France have jointly emphasized the urgent need for peace, stability, and long-term prosperity in the Middle East as the Iran crisis threatens global economic and security interests.
• The four Western powers are coordinating on a de-escalation strategy focused on protecting civilian lives, safeguarding global energy routes, and reopening key trade corridors including the Strait of Hormuz.
• Western officials have highlighted concerns over global energy disruption, inflation risks, and the need for immediate diplomatic resolution amid the escalating regional tensions.
Health secretary says NHS is ‘failing women’ and pledges to end ‘gaslighting’ by doctorsWes Streeting has vowed to stop women being “gaslit” by doctors as he relaunches the women’s health strategy for England.Speaking before the publication of the renewed strategy on Wednesday, Streeting said the NHS was “failing women” and set out measures to help them access the healthcare they need. Continue reading...
• Recent geopolitical tensions are fundamentally altering maritime shipping routes for energy commodities worldwide.
• Energy shipping companies are implementing agile strategies to navigate heightened tensions and supply chain disruptions.
• The shift in maritime logistics has broader implications for global energy prices and international trade networks.
• President Trump stated US objectives in the Iran conflict are nearly achieved yet simultaneously threatened even more intense strikes in the weeks ahead, creating confusion about American strategy.
• With no declared exit strategy and rising fears of Iranian retaliation, analysts question whether the military campaign is winding down or entering a more dangerous phase.
• UK-led talks planned for next week in London will include plans for possible military actions to clear the Strait of Hormuz, with the US not involved in these negotiations.
• Financial advisors are recommending patience for investors amid extreme market swings, noting that historical data shows staying invested typically outperforms reactive selling during crises—even during wartime.
• The S&P 500 has retreated to levels not seen since August 2025, with three major indexes all significantly below their recent peaks as geopolitical uncertainty continues to roil markets.
• Investment strategists emphasize that while current volatility is unsettling, panic-driven decisions often lock in losses and can result in missed opportunities for recovery.
• Meta is reducing its workforce while simultaneously increasing investment in artificial intelligence capabilities and research.
• The company is shifting resources to prioritize AI development over other business areas, signaling a strategic pivot in corporate priorities.
• This move reflects broader industry trends where major tech companies are reallocating capital toward AI infrastructure and models despite economic pressures.
• Trump's AI adviser David Sacks defended the decision to allow UAE access to powerful American semiconductor technology, calling it a turning point for establishing US tech dominance globally.
• The UAE's $1.4 trillion investment and economic framework with the US, announced last year, continues as planned with accelerated deployment and funding in AI, energy, advanced manufacturing, and critical infrastructure.
• Trump's 2025 visit to the UAE resulted in plans for a 5GW UAE-US AI Campus, a major joint infrastructure initiative.
• Brent crude oil prices showed modest gains of approximately 1% despite elevated geopolitical rhetoric, indicating potential underestimation of conflict escalation risks by the energy market.
• Energy price volatility is creating supply chain pressures and financial stress for corporations, with rising energy costs cited as a major factor in corporate capacity reduction decisions and market-wide weakness.
• The US government's expanding influence over global energy markets reflects efforts to manage price stability and geopolitical risks, with EPA Administrator Lee Zeldin discussing energy policy responses on financial media.
Cyber experts say influence operations in ‘asymmetric’ campaign to intensify moral pressure on US and IsraelIran has radically overhauled its social media strategy in an all-out information war launched by the country’s Islamic rulers in response to US and Israeli military attacks.Cyber experts say Iranian foreign influence operations have gone into overdrive as part of an “asymmetric” campaign designed to complement its military retaliation and intensify moral pressure on the US and Israel into curtailing their war efforts. Continue reading...
• President Trump met Japan's prime minister on March 20, fielding questions from Japanese media on why allies were not warned before US strikes on Iran.
• Meeting occurs as US redirects focus to Middle East, potentially weakening joint priorities with Japan on trade and security issues.
• Discussions highlight differing US-Israel goals in the conflict, with Trump denying plans to deploy ground troops.
Attempt to ‘decapitate’ state may harden resistance instead of destabilising regime Middle East crisis – live updatesFighting intensifies between Israel and Hezbollah in southern LebanonIsrael’s decision to authorise its military to kill any senior Iranian official on its assassination list has raised significant new questions about its so-called decapitation strategy – and what it is intended to achieve.Privately, Israeli officials have briefed their US counterparts that in the event of an uprising, Iran’s opposition would be “slaughtered” . Continue reading...
• Oracle reported earnings that exceeded expectations, lifting its stock price, while Adobe continues to face investor skepticism over its AI strategy and competitive positioning amid broader tech sector repricing.
• Morningstar downgraded Adobe's economic moat rating alongside Salesforce and ServiceNow, citing concerns that AI disruption could erode traditional software competitive advantages and justify lower valuation multiples.
• The broader earnings season reveals a disconnect between traditional valuation metrics and AI disruption risks, prompting investors to reassess which software companies can sustain pricing power and market share in an AI-transformed landscape.
White House seems to have failed to anticipate that Tehran would fight back by trying to impose costs on the westMiddle East crisis – live updatesIf there was a moment when the absence of a US strategy on Iran was exposed, then this was it. Donald Trump demanded on Saturday that the UK, China, France, Japan and others participate in a naval escort for oil tankers through the strait of Hormuz.Despite launching the attack on Iran, with Israel, the White House does not seem to have fully anticipated what was likely to follow. Iran had few good military options for fighting back, but attacking US bases, US allies and merchant shipping in the Gulf was the most obvious response – to try to impose costs on the west. Continue reading...
• Adobe's CEO announced his resignation on March 13, 2026, causing the stock to plunge 7.6% in U.S. trading on Friday amid renewed skepticism over its AI initiatives.
• The S&P 500 fell 0.6% to around 6,632, with Nasdaq Composite down 0.9%, pressured by oil prices near $100 per barrel from Iran tensions.
• This leadership change revives investor concerns about Adobe's competitiveness in AI tools against rivals like OpenAI integrations in competitors.
Bitcoin climbed 1.3% to around $71,140 on March 13, 2026, boosting crypto-related equities like Coinbase Global, up 1.5%, and MicroStrategy, gaining 1.4%. The uptick provides a counterweight to equity declines driven by oil pressures. Crypto's decorrelation from traditional markets gains relevance in volatile times. Regulatory updates could amplify future moves.