In a press briefing that raised more questions than it answered, US President Donald Trump made a striking claim on Thursday — that the virtual closure of the Strait of Hormuz, a waterway through which roughly one-fifth of the world’s oil and gas travels, simply doesn’t affect the United States.

The remark came as Trump lashed out at European allies for failing to extend what he called “ample support” to Washington in its ongoing war against Iran — and it landed like a thunderclap in the middle of a global energy crisis that millions of people are living through right now.

‘We Have a Big, Fat, Beautiful Ocean’

Trump’s exact words, delivered at the White House, were characteristically blunt:

“We are there to protect Europe from Russia. In theory it doesn’t affect us, we have a big, fat, beautiful ocean. But we are there to protect NATO, but they are not there to protect us.”

The comment was aimed squarely at NATO allies who Trump believes are free-riding on American military power — but the line about the Strait of Hormuz not affecting the US drew immediate attention. The waterway’s virtual closure by Iran has triggered a global energy disruption, with countries across Europe, Asia, and beyond reporting severe fuel and cooking gas shortages.

The 10-Day Pause — and Iran’s Denial

Even as Trump downplayed the strategic importance of the Strait of Hormuz to the US, he simultaneously announced an extension of his pause on strikes against Iran’s energy infrastructure — now stretched to 10 days, pushed to April 6.

Speaking to Fox News, Trump claimed Iran had come to his administration asking for more time — framing it as a sign of Tehran’s desperation:

“They said to me very nicely, through my people, ‘Could we have more time?’ Because we’re talking about tomorrow night, which is pretty quick, and if they don’t do what they have to do, I will knock out their power plants.”

But there’s a problem. Mediators who spoke to the Wall Street Journal said Iran did not request the 10-day pause — directly contradicting Trump’s account. Iran has also flatly denied engaging in any negotiations with Washington, despite Trump’s insistence that talks are going “very well.”

‘Iran Is Begging to Make a Deal’

Just one day after Tehran publicly rejected Trump’s 15-point ceasefire plan, the president took to his Truth Social account to declare that Iran was “begging to make a deal” — and urged Iranian leaders to “get serious soon” about negotiations.

“Talks are ongoing and, despite erroneous statements to the contrary by the Fake News Media, and others, they are going very well,” Trump wrote.

Iran has not named any negotiators. Trump has not identified who is representing Tehran in these alleged talks. The credibility gap is widening by the day.

The Bigger Picture — Ground Troops and Growing Stakes

The 10-day pause on strikes comes amid reports that the US is preparing for a possible ground invasion — with approximately 10,000 ground troops reportedly being positioned for potential deployment to the Middle East. The original five-day pause announced earlier this week has now been doubled, with April 6 as the new deadline for Iran to meet Trump’s conditions.

What those conditions are in full remains unclear — but the threat is explicit: miss the deadline, and Iran’s power plants are next.

A Contradiction the World Is Watching

Trump’s claim that the Strait of Hormuz closure “doesn’t affect” the US sits uneasily alongside the reality that global oil markets remain in turmoil, energy prices are surging worldwide, and American consumers are not immune to what happens when one-fifth of the world’s energy supply is choked off.

Whether this was a strategic message to NATO allies, a negotiating posture toward Iran, or simply an off-the-cuff remark — the world is watching what comes next on April 6.

And this time, the deadline comes with a very specific threat attached.

Astronomy enthusiasts and casual skywatchers alike are in for a celestial treat tonight as a total lunar eclipse — commonly referred to as a blood moon — will occur across North America, Australia, and East Asia.

During the eclipse, the moon will pass completely into Earth’s umbral shadow, turning a dramatic red as sunlight refracts through the planet’s atmosphere. The total phase of the eclipse — called totality — will begin at 6:04 a.m. EST (11:04 GMT) on March 3 and peak at 6:33 a.m. EST (11:33 GMT), lasting approximately 58 minutes.

Over 40% of the world’s population, more than three billion people, will be able to witness at least part of the total lunar eclipse, making it one of the most widely visible astronomical events of 2026. This eclipse is also the last total lunar eclipse until December 31, 2028 – January 1, 2029, giving skywatchers plenty of incentive to look up tonight.

Here are key totality viewing times for major regions and time zones:

• Eastern Time (U.S.): 6:04–7:02 a.m. EST – the moon will set during totality
• Central Time (U.S.): 5:04–6:02 a.m. CST
• Mountain Time (U.S.): 4:04–5:02 a.m. MST
• Pacific Time (U.S.): 3:04–4:02 a.m. PST
• Alaska: 2:04–3:02 a.m. AKST
• Hawaii: 1:04–2:02 a.m. HST
• Sydney, Australia: 10:04–11:02 p.m. AEDT (March 3)
• Brisbane, Australia: 9:04–10:02 p.m. AEST (March 3)
• Tokyo, Japan: 8:04–9:02 p.m. JST (March 3)
• Seoul, South Korea: 8:04–9:02 p.m. KST (March 3)
• Beijing, China: 7:04–8:02 p.m. CST (March 3)
• Hong Kong: 7:04–8:02 p.m. HKT (March 3)

Observers are encouraged to look toward the eastern sky before sunrise in North America and in the evening sky across Australia and East Asia. No telescope is required to enjoy the eclipse, though binoculars or a telescope can enhance the view of the moon’s surface and the gradual red shading during totality.

This blood moon is part of Saros cycle 133, a series of recurring lunar eclipses that span centuries, demonstrating the predictability and wonder of our solar system. Skywatchers are reminded to dress warmly in cooler regions and to bring a camera or smartphone if they want to capture this rare spectacle.

Whether you’re a casual stargazer or a dedicated astronomer, tonight’s total lunar eclipse promises a stunning display that connects billions of people worldwide under the same reddish moon.

Last week’s Saturday Night Live (SNL) sketch mocking Tourette syndrome sparked intense backlash online — especially from disability advocates in the United Kingdom — and raised critical questions about transatlantic understanding of the neurological condition.

The sketch aired shortly after the deeply controversial moment at the BAFTA Film Awards, when Scottish campaigner John Davidson, who lives with Tourette’s, shouted a racial slur during the ceremony. While BAFTA issued an “unreserved apology” and Davidson expressed remorse if anyone took his tics as intentional, the incident renewed scrutiny on how society interprets involuntary neurological behavior.

Tourette’s syndrome is a neurological condition defined by sudden, involuntary movements or sounds called tics, which can include shouting and — occasionally — offensive words. The condition does not reflect the beliefs or character of those affected; rather, it is a complex and sometimes debilitating disability affecting many individuals worldwide.

The SNL segment, featuring cast members portraying controversial figures such as Mel Gibson, Bill Cosby and J.K. Rowling, suggested that Tourette’s was a convenient excuse for misconduct — a depiction that critics called insensitive, harmful and a misunderstanding of the condition. One line, delivered in character as Louis C.K., quipped that “Tourette’s sucks, especially if you get it in your penis,” eliciting thousands of comments and nearly one million YouTube views.

Up and down social media, reaction was swift. Many U.K. users lashed out, calling the joke “punching down” at a community still fighting stigma and misunderstanding. One widely shared post stated, “The difference between U.K. and U.S. responses has never been clearer,” referencing deep frustration over the sketch’s harmful portrayal and pointing to broader differences in disability education.

Reacting to the controversy, Tourette Scotland — a charity dedicated to destigmatizing the condition — posted an explanatory note tied to the sketch on X, clarifying that tics are involuntary and do not express a sufferer’s values or intentions. Supported by an influx of donations and website activity (many contributions made in Davidson’s name), the organization underscored its educational mission amid renewed public attention.

Similarly, Emma McNally, CEO of British charity Tourette’s Action, condemned SNL’s treatment of the issue as “never acceptable.” She emphasized that mocking a disability perpetuates harmful stereotypes and detracts from efforts to educate the public — a stance strongly echoed by disability advocates across the U.K. community.

These critical voices highlight that, although both countries share English‑language media environments, there exists a notable U.S.–U.K. gap in public understanding of Tourette’s syndrome. In Britain, Tourette’s has long been recognized and contextualized within media and cultural discourse, partly due to landmark works such as the 1989 BBC documentary John’s Not Mad, which followed the teenage Davidson growing up with Tourette’s. The documentary became a cultural touchstone, voted one of the best-ever BBC documentaries by public poll in 2005.

Davidson himself has been an outspoken advocate for awareness, including through projects like the BAFTA‑nominated film I Swear, released around this year’s ceremony. In a heartfelt message shared on Facebook, Davidson thanked supporters for solidarity, while acknowledging the painful week as a reminder that much work remains to improve understanding and empathy around Tourette’s — particularly in media portrayals that reach global audiences.

“The past week has reminded me that what I do raising awareness for such a misunderstood condition — there is still a long way to go,” Davidson wrote. “I will keep on keeping on until this is achieved.”