NATO Member Spain Closes Airspace To US Planes Involved In Iran Operations

nato-member-spain-closes-airspace-us-planes-involved-iran-operations

BY TYLER DURDEN

MONDAY, MAR 30, 2026 - 06:25 AM

Given worsening US-Spanish relations over Washington's pro-Israel policies, this is a big step which is not entirely surprising - Spain has fully shuttered its airspace to US planes involved in attacks on Iran.

This is an action significantly beyond its prior controversial policy to deny US use of jointly-operated military bases, and what has also been a long-running ban on ships transferring arms and ammo to Israel.

Morón Air Base

Spain's Defense Minister Margarita Robles announced on Monday, "We don't authorize either the use of military bases or the use of airspace for actions related to the war in Iran."

Prime Minister Pedro Sánchez has also confirmed, "We have denied the United States the use of the Rota and Morón bases for this illegal war. All flight plans involving operations in Iran have been rejected. All of them, including those for refueling aircraft." Apparently an exception will be made for emergency landings. But in essence this means no US flyovers by tanker aircraft or bombers will be approved.

Crucially, El Pais - which first broke the news - has also made clear that the airspace ban applies to US aircraft coming from UK and French bases which are involved in the Iran theatre.

"Not only is it prohibiting the use of the military bases in Rota (Cádiz) and Morón de la Frontera (Seville) by fighter jets or in-flight refueling aircraft participating in the attack; it is also denying airspace access to U.S. aircraft stationed in third countries, such as the United Kingdom or France, according to military sources," the Spanish publication says.

Economy Minister Carlos Cuerpo has articulate the government's justification for the move as follows: "This decision is part of the decision already made by the Spanish government not to participate in or contribute to a war which was initiated unilaterally and against international law."

Another important exception is for American warplanes or transport aircraft supporting purely European operations. These planes which are not directly involved in the Middle East operation will be allowed to continue to use Spanish bases.

But ultimately this constitutes a huge inter-NATO rift. It means that American planes are forced to bypass the significant territory of NATO member Spain en route to their targets in the Middle East. President Trump has repeatedly threatened to cut trade with Spain, amid other punitive measures.

Much of Europe sees Trump's Iran operation as fundamentally 'not our war' with the potential to become another endless quagmire like the Iraq and Afghan wars. Many European nations have also viewed Trump's rhetoric and rationale for the war as confusing and lacking clear strategic vision, which could be a recipe for no endpoint.

The absurdity of Canadian bilingualism

Air Canada CEO after fatal LaGuardia plane crash — for issuing his apology in English

https://nypost.com/2026/03/30/business/air-canada-ceo-steps-down-amid-backlash-over-apology-video-after-laguardia-plane-crash/

By 

Taylor Herzlich

Published March 30, 2026, 7:00 a.m. PT

Stupid beyond words

$167M Powerball winner, outed as career criminal, stole $12K in third arrest since hitting jackpot

A $167.3 million Kentucky Powerball winner who went from career criminal to multi-millionaire overnight is accused of stealing a comparatively minuscule $12,000 cash during a head-scratching home burglary over the weekend. 

James Farthing, 51, was arrested on second-degree burglary and marijuana possession charges Saturday after security footage allegedly captured him breaking into a Lexington residence that evening, according to Lex18. 

Farthing allegedly snatched $12,000 in cash from the home and fled the scene in his black Porsche Passenger — before police caught him and spotted a marijuana blunt in plain view and found more bud during a search of his car, the outlet said, citing an arrest citation. 

James Farthing, 51, has been arrested for a third time since he won Kentucky’s $167.3 million lottery jackpot nearly a year ago. ayette County Detention Center

He was taken into custody at Fayette County Detention Center without incident.

https://nypost.com/2026/03/29/us-news/167m-powerball-winner-outed-as-career-criminal-stole-12k-in-third-arrest-since-hitting-jackpot/

By 

Zoe Hussain

Published March 29, 2026, 4:30 p.m. PT

LAUSD $39 million scandal

Damning five-word text LAUSD staffer sent — as she’s charged in $39M scandal

https://nypost.com/2026/03/29/us-news/lausds-hong-peng-texts-to-gautham-sampath-revealed-after-allegedly-stealing-39m/

The Los Angeles School District IT employee accused of siphoning millions from the district and getting huge kickbacks in return sent incriminating text messages that could put her behind bars for years.

A text chain between LAUSD staffer Hong “Grace” Peng and Gautham Sampath obtained by the California Post reveals damning evidence, according to prosecutors.

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Gautham Sampath, CEO of Texas tech company Innive, was paid $39 million by LAUSD. The Org

Sampath, who is CEO of Texas technology company Innive, texts Peng asking, “What r the other opportunities in LAUSD. That we can exploit,” to which she responds, “Yea, a lot of them.”

LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman says Peng conspired with Sampath in a pay-to-play scheme where Peng fed more than $22 million in contracts to a company owned by Sampath from 2018–2022.

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LA County District Attorney Nathan Hochman announces charges against Peng and Sampath. Los Angeles District Attorney

Sampath then routed and laundered more than $3 million in kickbacks back to Peng through various intermediaries, Hochman alleges.

According to the criminal complaint, Innive received over $39 million in payments from LAUSD between 2017 and 2023.

The text messages appear to show Sampath and Peng knew what they were doing was wrong. “Delete all watsup chats… if anyone sees the text about these internal things it will be a prb,” Sampath wrote on Feb. 18, 2018.

Later that year, Peng texts Sampath, “Let’s grab these money first.. Its already in the pocket. Low hanging fruits… let’s get these money… It’ll be good for us.”

The complaint shows several payments to various companies all owned by Sampath. At one point the duo discusses setting up the additional entities.

“We need to come up with lot of companies,” Sampath says, “at least 3-4 to take out the money… Close to million will be transferred to you… Easy to track unless we are very careful,” he continues.

Peng responds, “Should we start another company under a different name?… I can setup a company in HK… China… or Singapore.”

Another text in June 2018 revealed alleged billing practices, with Peng texting Sampath: “I have a way to get those money. Can load them up more work, then charge more hours.”

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Another scandal: LAUSD Superintendent Alberto M. Carvalho was relieved of his post following an FBI raid last month. Los Angeles Times via Getty Images

Peng is charged with two felonies — money laundering and having a financial interest in a contract or purchase made in an official capacity.

Sampath is charged with four felonies — money laundering, having a financial interest in a contract or purchase made in an official capacity, and aiding and abetting a government official to have a financial interest in a contract.

Damning emails revealed in the DA’s criminal complaint.

When Hochman originally announced the charges, he revealed another damning email from Peng to Sampath: “Youre’ so lucky  Im on the selection committee.”

Sampath responds, “Why did you say Innvie is lucky?” “Because you have me… I broke all law for you already lol,” Peng wrote back.

The complaint also reveals that Peng signed a contract integrity certification that asked if she had received or had been promised any royalties, gifts, or gratuities from anyone that has contracted with LAUSD, to which Peng responded “No.”

If convinced both Peng and Sampath face seven years in state prison.

By 

Jeremy Louwerse

Published March 29, 2026, 2:09 p.m. PT

Leftist scum!

Shocking video catches LA ‘No Kings’ protesters using brutal tactics to attack cops

https://nypost.com/2026/03/29/us-news/shocking-video-catches-la-no-kings-protesters-using-brutal-tactics-to-attack-cops/

By 

Zain Khan

Published March 29, 2026, 10:31 a.m. PT

Stealing Javelin missiles...who Is watching the store?

Insane haul of war weapons Marine, 23, is accused of stealing from California military base 

https://nypost.com/2026/03/29/us-news/camp-pendleton-marine-arrested-for-alleged-theft-and-sale-of-javelin-missile-systems/

By 

Bianca Heyward

Published March 29, 2026, 7:14 p.m. PT

Teacher Sexual Misconduct Is ‘Rampant’

Exclusive: Teacher Sexual Misconduct Is ‘Rampant’ in U.S. Schools, Leading Experts Find

https://www.breitbart.com/crime/2026/03/29/exclusive-teacher-sexual-misconduct-is-rampant-in-u-s-schools-leading-experts-find/

LOWELL CAUFFIEL

29 Mar 2026757

Foreign big rig drivers lose licenses by the thousands, but ride-shares still use illiterate drivers

https://justthenews.com/government/courts-law/foreign-big-riggers-lose-licenses-thousands-taxis-ride-shares-still-have-non

• Dig Deeper

On Thursday, Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy confirmed to reporters that 17,000 non-English-speaking truck drivers have been removed from the road due to new administration rules. However, ride-share services like Uber and Lyft, along with taxis, still contract non-English-speaking drivers. According to Duffy, that's a trickier problem to solve.

“The problem is that our states are the ones that issue these licenses. So with commercial driver’s licenses, we do have some federal control," Duffy said Thursday during a Cabinet meeting, emphasizing that the work the administration has been able to do with Commercial Drivers Licenses (CDLs) differs from what their abilities are with state-administered drivers' licenses. 

Duffy went on to explain the safety problems—drivers who can’t read signs or communicate with police—and criticized former President Joe Biden's administration for letting truck-driving schools practically self-certify. 

“This is like the ‘Learning Center’. You pay $800, you get a certificate that you passed a CDL driving school, and they have no skills. They haven't gone through any of the testing, and then they get licenses, and they're killing Americans on our roads."

No federal control of rideshares

For CDLs, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) can audit, set minimum standards states must follow, and enforce safety rules nationwide for commercial trucks. Rideshare & taxis are treated as local services; therefore, the federal DOT (Department of Transportation) has almost no authority over driver licensing or day-to-day operations. 

Even though states print and hand out the licenses, federal law, via the FMCSA, sets the minimum qualifications every state must follow. That includes the long-standing rule that commercial drivers must “speak and read English sufficiently” to understand road signs, talk to law enforcement, and handle emergencies. 

The Trump/Duffy DOT used that federal leverage to identify and remove the 17,000 unqualified big-rig drivers (many of whom got CDLs through the previous administration’s lax “self-certifying” truck schools). States still have to cooperate on enforcement, which is why Duffy said he needs “partnership” (he even noted California Governor Gavin Newsom is starting to play ball).

Rideshare drivers, along with taxi drivers, do not need a CDL. They operate under ordinary state driver’s licenses plus whatever local ride-share or taxi permit the city/county requires (background checks, insurance, vehicle inspections, etc.). 

There is no federal commercial licensing regime that applies the same way. Regulation is handled at the state or city level (e.g., California Public Utilities Commission for Uber/Lyft, NYC Taxi & Limousine Commission for cabs). The federal DOT can’t just “extend” the trucker rule because it doesn’t have jurisdiction over these local passenger services.

43% of U.S. rideshare drivers speak a language other than English at home

Non-English speaking drivers represent a substantial portion of the workforce powering Uber, Lyft, and traditional taxi services in the United States, often filling critical gaps in flexible, on-demand transportation through immigrant labor. According to Lyft’s 2024 Economic Impact Report, 43% of its U.S. drivers speak a language other than English at home, with Spanish accounting for nearly three-fourthsof those cases.

A 2023 California study of Uber and Lyft drivers by Rideshare Drivers United and Asian Americans Advancing Justice–Asian Law Caucus found that those with no English proficiency faced an 86% deactivation rate—compared to just 61% for fluent speakers—largely stemming from passenger complaints about communication.

Similarly, a University of Washington study reported that 83% of surveyed rideshare drivers did not speak English as their first language. Traditional taxi operations show parallel demographics; as of 2016 in New York City, only 4% of yellow cab drivers were U.S.-born, indicating heavy reliance on non-native English speakers amid relaxed language testing requirements.

President Donald Trump's administration instituted the new commercial driving regulations following a slew of traffic accident fatalities resulting from commercial truck drivers breaking road laws.

Unqualified truck driver kills three

On August 19, 2025, 25-year-old Harjinder Singh—an illegal immigrant from India who held CDLs improperly issued by California and Washington—made an illegal U-turn through an “Official Use Only” median opening on Florida’s Turnpike near Fort Pierce in St. Lucie County. A minivan slammed into the trailer at highway speed, killing three South Florida men.

Just two months later, 21-year-old Jashanpreet Singh, another illegal immigrant from India who had obtained a California CDL after entering the U.S. unlawfully in 2022, drove his semi-truck into stopped traffic on Interstate 10 in Ontario, San Bernardino County, California, triggering a fiery chain-reaction pileup that killed three people, including Pomona High School assistant basketball coach Clarence Nelson and his wife. 

Then, on December 9, 2025, 54-year-old Yisong Huang, an illegal immigrant from China who could not speak English and had secured a CDL despite federal rules, rear-ended a tractor-trailer while distracted by a video on his phone on Interstate 40 westbound in Putnam County, Tennessee, causing a multi-vehicle crash that killed 31-year-old truck driver Kerry Smith.

Amanda Head serves as White House Correspondent for Just The News. You can follow her here. 

Georgia Senate passes revamped legislation requiring hand-marked ballots

https://justthenews.com/nation/states/center-square/senate-passes-revamped-house-bill-requiring-hand-marked-ballots

Election officials will also be required to have preprinted ballots at each voting location and publish a voter turnout list by 11:59 p.m. on Election Night.

Pelosi's homeless project fails...so much taxpayer dollars scammed

Pelosi's homeless project fails

Once again, policy ambition (with Nancy at the top of the chain) collides with human reality.

Robyn Dolgin  | March 30, 2026 

AT via Magic Studio

https://www.americanthinker.com/blog/2026/03/pelosi_s_homeless_project_fails.html

 Pelosi hailed her latest boondoggle -- a project for the homeless -- as a “beacon of hope." Her stylish 92-unit residence appeared almost preordained to become another by-the-book scandal, squandering taxpayer money.

Inevitable. Foreseeable. Unsurprising -- if you’re going by the chronic lack of accountability for social projects in California. She unwittingly exposed a systemic failure -- one that this time ended in tragedy -- and helped produce an egregious headline in the the Wall Street Journal. “A Pelosi Model Is Now a San Francisco Scandal.”

The reality behind the headline was the discovery of decaying bodies in the stylish surroundings -- found weeks after death. What was intended to house the most vulnerable, complete with courtyard and kitchenettes, became a stark case study in neglect. Once again, policy ambition (with Nancy at the top of the chain) collided with human reality.

How did Nancy -- and her cohorts -- miss all the red flags?

She’s a seasoned U.S. representative who had nearly two years to review the biggest red flag: A city-commissioned audit investigating the homeless industry in San Francisco: Predictably, the audit flagged “gross fiscal non-compliance” by the very nonprofit entrusted with expanding homeless services -- HomeRise.

This wasn’t a small operation. The organization manages 1,500 units across 19 properties, with a budget that ballooned to a whopping $240 million. Scale alone should have demanded scrutiny.

Instead, the audit revealed what’s become all too familiar to taxpayers: Improper fund transfers -- just shy of being labeled outright theft -- weak financial controls, and spending practices that diverted resources away from housing and resident services. “Diversion,” it seems, also extended to basics like conducting wellness checks.And then there’s the kind of details that really set overtaxed taxpayers on edge: $200,000 in bonuses and $12,500 on a social event. Small change, though, compared to an unauthorized $2 million transfer from a restricted account -- quietly returned in 2024, after the audit. Convenient timing.

At best, it’s mismanagement. At worst, it edges perilously close to the kind of conduct that conjures images of suitcases full of cash moving through airports -- reminiscent of large-scale corruption witnessed in Minnesota. Either way, oversight was nowhere to be found when it actually mattered. The San Francisco Chronicle brought the “decaying bodies” to the attention of HomeRise CEO Janea Jackson: A public intervention that one might expect to prompt urgency, rather than a perfunctory -- bureaucratic -- formal statement.

“We take any indication of gaps in wellness check practices extremely seriously,” Ms. Jackson wrote, “Our priority is clear: Stronger accountability and more reliable systems to ensure resident safety.” Reassuring -- if only that seriousness had surfaced before the bodies were discovered.

Her response -- intended to quell public outrage -- seems only to have intensified it. For many taxpayers, it confirmed the suspicion that incompetence at the top is being papered over rather than corrected. One outraged observer, responding to the Wall Street Journal article, translated Pelosi’s “beacon of hope” as little more than a feeding trough for consultants, contractors, and nonprofit pass-through funds.Another disgusted taxpayer didn’t mince words: “The political grift in the homeless ‘industry’ is abominable.” Billions are being spent, he added, suggesting: “Nonprofits and NGOs are simply the new American mafia.”

Taxpayers may take some comfort in the creation of a first-ever Assistant Attorney General for National Fraud Enforcement: A new DoJ team entirely focused on rooting out fraud. Colin McDonald, a seasoned prosecutor, is a fitting choice. His target list signals that the party may finally be over: Not just for outright grifters, but for the well-intentioned enablers who have presided over industries siphoning a seemingly endless stream of taxpayer billions.