Friday morning news: March 13, 2026

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Synagogue attack » The FBI says an attack on a Michigan synagogue Thursday was a—quote—“targeted act of violence against the Jewish community.”

A man armed with a rifle rammed a vehicle into a major synagogue in a Detroit suburb and was reportedly fatally shot by security.

Oakland County, Michigan Sheriff Michael Bouchard told reporters:

BOUCHARD:  A car came to the facility, breached the facility by driving into it, was engaged by security. We believe there is one individual deceased in the vehicle. Uh, it's been complicated because there was some, uh, fire, to say the least, with that vehicle.

In the minutes following the attack, smoke billowed from the synagogue. 

The sheriff said one security officer was hit by the vehicle and knocked unconscious, but did not suffer life-threatening injuries. Additionally, 30 law enforcement officers were treated for smoke inhalation.

And the sheriff added that none of the synagogue’s staff, teachers, or the 140 children at its early childhood center were injured. And the attacker was the only person killed.

President Trump addressed the attack from the White House.

TRUMP:  Before we begin, I wanna send our love to the Michigan Jewish community and all of the people in Detroit, Detroit area, following the attack on the Jewish synagogue.

He called it a “terrible thing.”

Iran: New supreme leader remarks » Iran’s new supreme leader issued a defiant public statement on Thursday. 

WORLD’s Benjamin Eicher reports:

BENJAMIN EICHER: 56-year-old Ayatollah Mojtaba Khamenei has taken the place of his late father, Ali Khamenei.

Israel suspects he was wounded in the opening salvo of the conflict, and notably, he did not appear on camera. Instead, his statement was read by a state TV news anchor.

EICHER: He said Iran would keep up its attacks on its Gulf Arab neighbors … and continue to effectively shut down the Strait of Hormuz … as leverage against the United States and Israel. And he vowed revenge for the airstrikes within Iran thus far.

Whether the regime will have the ability to back up those threats going forward remains to be seen.

The Trump administration says it has already severely degraded Iran’s ability to wage war. 

For WORLD, I’m Benjamin Eicher.

Iran: general update / California threat » Officials assured California residents on Thursday that there is no imminent threat to the state from Iran.

That comes after ABC News reported that the FBI had warned California that Iran had aspired to send drones to the West Coast in retaliation for the conflict.

Gov. Gavin Newsom remarked:

NEWSOM:  We are aware of that information and we transfer that information, uh, in real time to our local partners. Uh, drone issues have been always top of mind.

But he added that there was no specific threat at that time.

The FBI later released text of the alert, which noted that the information was based on “unverified information.” And the White House now says that, “No such threat from Iran to our homeland exists.”

Iran: Oil reserves » The Energy Department says the U.S. will begin releasing 172 million barrels of oil from the Strategic Petroleum Reserve.

That comes as the ongoing conflict with Iran is causing fuel prices to spike. Energy Secretary Chris Wright says they are looking to "reverse 47 years of uncertainty" within the region, and he adds that ultimately the payoff will be more than worth the temporary price hikes.

WRIGHT:  The benefit at the other side of, of a much better Middle East, ultimately in the long term a much more secure supply of energy for the world. It's worth the short-term disruption for this simply enormous long-term gain we will get.

The Energy Department’s announcement follows word this week that 32 nations planned a coordinated record release of 400 million barrels.

Ukraine drone deal » The UN has released findings of an investigation into Russia's deportation and transfer of Ukrainian children. The lead investigator says the findings are clear:

MOSE: The scale and the scope of these crimes have led the Commission to conclude that Russian authorities have deported and forcibly transferred children as a crime against humanity.

Ukraine says close to 20,000 children have been illegally sent to Russia and Belarus. Many face military training, and are sent back to fight against their countrymen.

Meanwhile in Bucharest:

SOUND: [Pomp and Circumstance]

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy and Romania's President shook hands after signing a new defense cooperation agreement. That deal calls for joint drone production in Romania.

DHS funding » U.S. Senators headed home for the weekend without agreeing on a path forward for funding the Department of Homeland Security.

WORLD’s Harrison Watters has more from the Capital.

HARRISON WATTERS: Senate Democrats on Thursday floated a proposal to pay airport security agents, while debate over changes to immigration enforcement policy continues. 

Nevada Senator Jacky Rosen:

ROSEN: Let's not have TSA offers officers in the middle of this fight. They don't deserve it. We all agree their salary should be funded, so let's fund it.

WATTERS: But Republicans objected to bailing TSA out while other departments continue operating without funds. 

Ohio Senator Bernie Moreno:

MORENO: Let’s fund the whole department, let’s get this over with. In fact, I would even offer, let’s fund it until Monday.

WATTERS: Several proposals to pass short-term funding bills failed to pass, while the full DHS appropriations bill again failed to clear the 60 vote threshold needed to end debate and move to a final vote.

Many Homeland Security employees are set to miss their first full paycheck this weekend as a partial government shutdown heads into week five.

Reporting for WORLD, I’m Harrison Watters in Washington.

And I'm Kent Covington.

Straight ahead: John Stonestreet is here for Culture Friday. Plus, Arsenio Orteza with a remembrance of a 70s hitmaker.

This is The World and Everything in It.

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