ISLAMABAD/TEL AVIV, March 29 (Reuters)—Pakistan said on Sunday it was preparing to host “meaningful talks” to end the conflict over Iran in coming days even though Tehran earlier accused Washington of preparing a land assault while seeking negotiations. Speaking after talks between regional foreign ministers, Pakistan’s Foreign Minister Ishaq Dar said they had covered possible ways to bring an early and permanent end to the war in the region as well as potential U.S.-Iran talks in Islamabad. “Pakistan will be honoured to host and facilitate meaningful talks between the two sides in coming days, for a comprehensive and lasting settlement of the ongoing conflict,” he said. It was not immediately clear if the U.S. and Iran had agreed to attend. Complicating Pakistan’s bid are the maximalist positions set out by the United States, Israel and Iran on what it would take to end the conflict. Iran’s parliament speaker Mohammad Baqer Qalibaf earlier accused the U.S. of sending messages about possible negotiations while at the same time planning to send in troops, adding that Tehran was ready to respond if U.S. soldiers were deployed. “As long as the Americans seek Iran’s surrender, our response is that we will never accept humiliation,” he said in a message to the nation. Regional Powers Propose Plans to Reopen Strait of Hormuz Initial discussions between Pakistan, Saudi Arabia, Turkey and Egypt had focused on proposals to reopen the Strait of Hormuz to shipping, sources familiar with the matter said. Iran’s effective blockade of oil and gas shipments through the strait since the U.S. and Israel began attacking the country on February 28 is spreading economic pain around the world. As the conflict entered its second month, it showed no signs of slowing. Israel’s military said it had launched over 140 air strikes on central and western Iran, including Tehran, over the 24 hours to Sunday evening, hitting ballistic missile launch sites and storage facilities, among other targets. A chemical plant in southern Israel near the city of Beer Sheva was hit by a missile or missile debris as Israel fended off multiple salvos from Iran, prompting official warnings to the public to stay away due to “hazardous materials”. Another missile hit open ground near homes in Beer Sheva, located near several military bases, injuring 11 people. The war has killed thousands of people and hit countries across the Middle East: major aluminium plants in Bahrain and the United Arab Emirates were damaged by air strikes over the weekend. The UAE is seeking reparations from Iran for attacks on civilians and vital facilities and guarantees to prevent any repetition, an adviser to the president said. Yemen’s Iran-aligned Houthis joined the conflict on Saturday launching their first attacks on Israel and raising the prospect they could target and thus block a second key shipping route, the Bab el-Mandeb Strait. Analysts say renewed attacks there would pile further pressure on the world economy. U.S. Marines Start Arriving in Middle East Washington has dispatched thousands of Marines to the Middle East, with the first of two contingents arriving on Friday aboard an amphibious assault ship, the U.S. military has said. The Washington Post quoted U.S. officials as saying the Pentagon was preparing for weeks of ground operations in Iran, adding that it was not yet clear if President Donald Trump would approve such plans. Reuters has reported that the Pentagon has considered military options that could include ground forces. Washington said last week it had offered a 15-point ceasefire plan, with a proposal to reopen the Strait of Hormuz and restrict Iran’s nuclear program, but Tehran has rejected the proposal and put forward alternatives of its own. Israel Hits Dozens of Targets Across Iran An Israeli official said Israel would continue carrying out strikes against Iran on what were described as military targets, adding there was no intention to scale back the campaign ahead of any possible talks between Washington and Tehran. A building housing Qatar’s Al-Araby TV in Tehran was hit on Sunday, the semi-official Mehr news agency reported, with video showing walls and windows blown out of the multi-story block. “The missile hit. The ceiling and everything fell on our heads. Unfortunately, we couldn’t continue to work. It was a real miracle we survived,” said Al-Araby camera operator Mohammadreza Shademan. “There was no military target here.” A European diplomat warned that any further military escalation could make it harder to bring the two sides together, potentially delaying the possibility by weeks, if not longer. Iranian threats against ships have kept most oil tankers from attempting the waterway. Iran has agreed to let an additional 20 Pakistani-flagged vessels pass through the strait, Pakistan’s Dar said, calling it a “harbinger of peace”. (Reporting by Reuters bureaux; Writing by David Stanway and Crispian Balmer and Philippa Fletcher; Editing by Helen Popper, Alexander Smith and Ros Russell) The post Pakistan Prepares to Host Peace Talks as Iran Accuses US of Ground Assault Plans appeared first on The Daily Signal.

THE DAILY CALLER NEWS FOUNDATION—ABC News anchor Jonathan Karl pressed Democratic Maryland Sen. Chris Van Hollen on Sunday over his party’s role in the ongoing partial government shutdown leaving the Department of Homeland Security largely without funding. Democrats have voted against funding the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) as part of their opposition to Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE). They are demanding new operational restrictions following the fatal shootings of Alex Pretti and Renee Nicole Good in January. Karl suggested on “This Week” that Democrats’ refusal to fund DHS was causing unnecessary disruptions since ICE is partially funded. “I guess what’s confusing here is you have fought and blocked the funding for the Department of Homeland Security because you object, as you just outlined to what ICE has been doing, and you wanted to force changes,” Karl said. “And yet, the only thing that has been assured throughout all of this is that ICE already has the money, because as you said, $75 billion passed in the budget bill last year. So you’re holding up the entirety of the Department of Homeland Security because you object to ICE and you want changes to ICE. But through it all, ICE continues to have the money it needs.” Van Hollen disputed Karl’s comments, calling it “a false statement” that his party was “holding up all of the money” for DHS. He asserted his party has continuously advocated for funding the Transportation Security Administration (TSA), the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and the Coast Guard. “We are not prepared to give ICE another $10 billion on top of the monies they already have and are using in many of these lawless operations,” the senator said. Karl retorted that Democrats’ resistance to the additional $10 billion for ICE was “holding up” funding for other DHS agencies. Van Hollen then interrupted Karl to claim his party was not the obstacle to DHS funding. “You’re holding up unless it doesn’t include money for ICE,” Karl doubled down. “That’s just a fact.” “Unless it doesn’t include money for ICE, a very reformed ICE. That’s right,” Van Hollen conceded. President Donald Trump’s administration deployed ICE agents to support TSA agents Monday as airport travellers face long lines due to the partial shutdown, which has left TSA agents without pay. Democratic Pennsylvania Sen. John Fetterman was the sole member of his party to support the full-year appropriations bill for DHS. Other Democrats have remained united in voting down opportunities to fund the entire department without sweeping reforms to ICE and Customs and Border Protection (CBP). ICE and CBP are the only two agencies within DHS that have funding due to the GOP-backed One Big, Beautiful, Bill Act’s passage in July 2025. Originally published by The Daily Caller News Foundation. The post Jonathan Karl Confronts Chris Van Hollen Over ‘Holding Up’ DHS Funding appeared first on The Daily Signal.

The Washington Stand—Recent years have seen a number of Hollywood stars toss out their soapboxes and urge their fellow celebrities to simply shut up about politics. During President Donald Trump’s first term, superstar and then-“it” girl Jennifer Lawrence was an outspoken critic, frequently weighing in on political matters, describing the Trump presidency as “the end of the world.” In an interview with The New York Times late last year, Lawrence shared that she intends to keep her political opinions to herself during the second Trump administration. “The first Trump administration was so wild, and just—how can we let this stand? I felt like I was running around like a chicken with my head cut off,” Lawrence said. She observed that the vocal political opinions of celebrities make no difference “whatsoever” to the outcome of elections, asking, “So then what am I doing? I’m just sharing my opinion on something that’s going to add fuel to a fire that’s ripping the country apart. We are so divided.” Lawrence further noted that the left-wing political opinions voiced by many of Hollywood’s elites are likely a turn-off to most Americans, who the film industry relies on to buy movie tickets. “If I can’t say something that’s going to speak to some kind of peace or lowering the temperature or some sort of solution, I just don’t want to be a part of the problem. I don’t want to make the problem worse.” Now, several prominent Hollywood figures are urging their fellow film industry elites to follow Lawrence’s example and just stop talking. Ahead of this year’s Academy Awards ceremony, Sharon Osbourne, wife of the late rock star Ozzy and a frequent guest star in films and on television shows, called on award winners to keep their politics to themselves. In a podcast appearance with her son, Osbourne said that “everybody needs relief from what’s going on in the world,” and that most people turn to entertainment for an “escape.” “I understand that people get really emotional about things politically,” she continued, turning her attention to the Academy Awards. “So, when they are on TV knowing that there’s 15 [to] 16 million people in this country alone watching, they want to use that platform to show everybody how emotional they personally are about a situation… And I get it, but they’ve also got to get that Joe Public needs a f****** break.” Most Americans, Osbourne observed, have had it “up to here” with politics and don’t need the rich and famous to bring up more political anger and anxiety. She suggested that actors and actresses limit their political diatribes to their personal platforms—conversations, social media posts, interviews—and check their political opinions with their hats and coats at the door when taking their seats for the Academy Awards ceremony. Vince Vaughn, often considered one of Hollywood’s rare conservative voices, also took a shot at Hollywood political preaching in a podcast interview with comedian Theo Von last week. The actor summarized Hollywood’s mindset on political debate as, “We’re smart and got it figured out, and if you don’t agree then you’re an idiot.” Vaughn said that it’s fine for celebrities to feel strongly on political matters, “but it’s a strange thing when you start [thinking you’re] better than someone. That’s when it gets weird.” He added, “It’s one thing to say ‘This is where I’m at. And then here’s someone else’s point of view. Disagree or agree.’ It’s another thing to be like, ‘I’m so right, and I’m going to help you or condescend to you.’” He quipped, “No one wants to hang out with that.” Vaughn also suggested that the culture in Hollywood has not become more political, but that celebrities “got rewarded” for embracing left-wing politics and ostracized or canceled for adhering to more conservative or less politically correct values. “They started to come out there and do it, and I don’t even know how much everyone even is informed on everything, but they really like to get out there and do it,” he said of celebrities who promote their political views. “And they’re hypocrites, too, a lot of times, like anybody is,” he added. “People my age, we disagree, agree, we’d change our minds, we’d laugh, we joke. … But there was definitely a culture that if you didn’t agree with these ideas, you were looked at as bad for sure.” Hollywood executives made it “too complicated” to make and promote comedy films, Vaughn suggested, instead relying on stand-up comedy specials. When producing a stand-up special, he said, producers and studios could put the blame for any politically incorrect material on the featured comedian. “But the studios weren’t going to produce a [feature-length comedy film] and be more responsible for supporting the making of that film,” he said. “They were trying so hard not to offend anybody.” In an appearance on former Fox News anchor Megyn Kelly’s podcast, movie star Josh Duhamel also castigated celebrities for airing their unsolicited political views. “I have real strong opinions about things, but I don’t really talk about them,” he said. “Why would I alienate half my audience? Because I respect their views on things, but I’m not going to preach to them. They can believe what they want,” he added. Duhamel anticipated that it “should be” a growing trend for celebrities to keep their political opinions to themselves. “It makes perfect sense. If you really want to be a success in this business, why would you make half of your audience despise you [because of] your political beliefs? Maybe they don’t care? I don’t know. I look at it like a business decision,” he said, comparing himself to a “court jester” who is paid for his entertainment value, not his political insight. “I’m just here to make cool stuff.” During Trump’s first term in office, celebrities frequently spoke out against his administration and the Republican Party. One of the most controversial moments was when actress and self-styled comedienne Kathy Griffin posted a photo to social media holding what looked like the president’s bloodied, severed head. Recently, Griffin has shared that she’s learned to accept more conservative viewpoints. “I think it’s accepting that people don’t change,” she said in an interview. “I think I spent a lot of my life, whether it was romantically or career-wise, thinking somebody would change or I could maybe skew someone’s perspective. And now look, believe it or not, I have quite a few Trumper friends,” she continued. “I think it’s important to be around people [who] do have different opinions, and we get along. So there’s an understanding.” Originally published by The Washington Stand. We publish a variety of perspectives. Nothing written here is to be construed as representing the views of The Daily Signal. The post Is Hollywood’s Political Preaching Era Drawing to an End? appeared first on The Daily Signal.

THE DAILY CALLER NEWS FOUNDATION—Israeli police prevented a Catholic Cardinal from celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at the church traditionally believed to have been built over the burial tomb of Jesus Christ, adding a new dynamic to the ongoing tensions in the Middle East. Cardinal Pierbattista Pizzaballa, the Latin patriarch of Jerusalem, was traveling with the official guardian of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Fr. Francesco Ielpo, OFM, when they “were stopped en route, while proceeding privately and without any characteristics of a procession or ceremonial act,” according to an official statement. “As a result, and for the first time in centuries, the Heads of the Church were prevented from celebrating the Palm Sunday Mass at the Church of the Holy Sepulchre,” the statement added. Warning of the “grave precedent” the incident risks setting as “billions … this week, look to Jerusalem,” the statement notes how seriously local Church officials have complied with the restrictions imposed by the civil authorities, despite disruptions and inconveniences. The restrictions have not always been evenly implemented, Reuters reported, citing local residents. Muslim preachers during Ramadan and a Western Wall cleaning crew ahead of Passover, for example, were allowed access to their respective holy sites in certain circumstances. “The Heads of the Churches have acted with full responsibility,” the statement continues, “and, since the outset of the war, have complied with all imposed restrictions: public gatherings were cancelled, attendance was prohibited, and arrangements were made to broadcast the celebrations to hundreds of millions of faithful worldwide, who, during these days of Easter, turn their eyes to Jerusalem and to the Church of the Holy Sepulchre.” “Preventing the entry of the Cardinal and the Custos, who bear the highest ecclesiastical responsibility for the Catholic Church and the Holy Places, constitutes a manifestly unreasonable and grossly disproportionate measure,” the statement went on to criticize. “This hasty and fundamentally flawed decision, tainted by improper considerations, represents an extreme departure from basic principles of reasonableness, freedom of worship, and respect for the Status Quo [sic].” My statement re Prohibiting the Latin Patriarch of entering Church of Holy Sepulcher on Palm Sunday:While all Holy sites in the Old City are closed due to safety concerns for mass gatherings including the Western Wall, Church of the Holy Sepulcher and Al Aqsa Mosque, the action…— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) March 29, 2026 I'm grateful for the conciliatory & gracious statement by President @Isaac_Herzog regarding the unfortunate Palm Sunday incident at Church of Holy Sepulcher. https://t.co/NMR1B2dFNx— Ambassador Mike Huckabee (@GovMikeHuckabee) March 29, 2026 Palm Sunday marks the beginning of the Christian Holy Week, commemorating the entry of Christ into Jerusalem days before His arrest, trial, crucifixion, death, burial, and resurrection. It coincides with the April 1-9, 2026, Jewish observance of Passover. With the accessibility of the Church of the Holy Sepulchre now in question, it remains to be seen where the faithful of the Holy Land will gather for the celebration of Easter Sunday, the holiest day of the Christian liturgical calendar. Likewise, the Dome of the Rock and the entire Al-Aqsa Mosque compound are closed to most Islamic worshippers due to security concerns, especially as related to the ongoing military conflict between Iran and the U.S. and Israel, according to the Guardian. Other parts of the Old City, such as the Western Wall of the Jewish Temple, are also closed to the normally flowing crowds of families and tourists, The Associated Press reported. Shrapnel from an Iranian missile intercepted weeks earlier scattered across the rooftop of the Greek Orthodox Patriarchate—yards away from the Church of the Holy Sepulchre—as well as near those two holiest sites for Muslim and Jewish worshippers, according the outlet. Pope Leo XIV appeared to address the situation to pilgrims to Vatican City during his noon Angelus remarks. The incident occurred around the time the Holy Father was celebrating Mass and read a similar prepared statement during his homily. “At the beginning of Holy Week, our prayers are more than ever with the Christians of the Middle East, who are suffering the consequences of a brutal conflict and, in many cases, are unable to observe fully the liturgies of these holy days,” the Pope reflected. “Just as the Church contemplates the mystery of the Lord’s Passion, we cannot forget those who today are truly sharing in his suffering. Their ordeal challenges all our consciences.” Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni criticized the restrictions upon the religous leaders as “an ?offence [sic] not only to believers but for every community that recognises religious freedom,” Reuters reported. French President Emmanuel Macron, in a Sunday post to X translated from French, likewise condemned the decision by Israeli police, noting the “alarming proliferation of violations of the status quo of Jerusalem’s Holy Site.” The Latin Patriarchate of Jerusalem, one of the seven culturally distinct Catholic Churches, or “rites,” ministering in the Middle East, is comprised of an estimated 160,000 Catholics, according to the United States Conference of Catholic Bishops. Originally published by The Daily Caller News Foundation. The post Cardinal Blocked by Israeli Police From Celebrating Palm Sunday Mass at Christ’s Tomb appeared first on The Daily Signal.

Police arrested dozens during “No Kings” protests around the country on Saturday, including 70 in Los Angeles, California. According to organizers, eight million people took to the streets of American cities Saturday in a show of opposition President Donald Trump, Immigration and Customs Enforcement operations, and the Iran war. “Multiple demonstrators” failed to disperse at the Los Angeles rally and were taken into custody. More than 70 were arrested by the end of the night, the Los Angeles Times reported. U.S. Attorney Bill Essayli announced that federal agents have “started arresting those who assaulted our personnel at the Los Angeles courthouse.”  “To those who were smashing concrete blocks and throwing them at our officers, we have you on video,” Essayli’s wrote. “We will find you and arrest you too. You’ve been warned.” Federal agents have started arresting those who assaulted our personnel at the Los Angeles courthouse. To those who were smashing concrete blocks and throwing them at our officers, we have you on video. We will find you and arrest you too. You’ve been warned. pic.twitter.com/kfegm6As3h— F.A. United States Attorney Bill Essayli (@USAttyEssayli) March 29, 2026 Las Vegas Metropolitan Police Department reported seven arrests were made in downtown Las Vegas for charges including throwing rocks, battery against protestors, refusing to remove a prohibited item, and four counts of pedestrian in roadway. Police arrested David Cox, 54, on accusations of traveling to New York City with plans to harm federal agents during the “No Kings” protest there. Cox was charged with making terroristic threats, false report of terrorism, and making a threat of mass harm. Three people were arrested in Denver on charges including resisting arrest, destruction of public property, throwing objects, second-degree assault, and carrying an unlawful weapon, according to the Denver Post. Portland police arrested three “No Kings” protesters late Saturday night at an ICE facility, saying the suspects vandalized the facility, damaged its gate, and threw rocks at local officers. In Memphis, when protests blocked the flow of traffic, officers attempted to move protesters out of the street, but some refused to comply. Police arrested one person for allegedly interfering with officers and refusing commands, according to News Channel 3 Memphis. Dallas police arrested one person after “punches thrown,” WFAA reported. The post Dozens of Arrests Made at ‘No Kings’ Rallies Around US Saturday appeared first on The Daily Signal.