{"href":"https://api.simplecast.com/oembed?url=https%3A%2F%2Ftodays-news.simplecast.com%2Fepisodes%2Ftodays-news-march-17-18-2026-FQai_Yuk","width":444,"version":"1.0","type":"rich","title":"TODAY'S NEWS, March 17-18, 2026","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_url":"https://image.simplecastcdn.com/images/01f7d4b2-716c-43f9-8a03-c96056c76782/88b58360-4b30-42a5-b7a8-7b457d20fd90/wwoptodays_news_cover.jpg","thumbnail_height":300,"provider_url":"https://simplecast.com","provider_name":"Simplecast","html":"<iframe src=\"https://player.simplecast.com/7b9fe90c-9385-4dcd-8a72-4b4eeb7a7b64\" height=\"200\" width=\"100%\" title=\"TODAY&apos;S NEWS, March 17-18, 2026\" frameborder=\"0\" scrolling=\"no\"></iframe>","height":200,"description":"U.S. political developments include the resignation of national security official Joe Kent amid disagreements over Iran policy, contrasting views from intelligence leaders such as Tulsi Gabbard, and ongoing congressional scrutiny involving figures like Pam Bondi and James Comer. Domestic updates also cover election results, labor disputes, and security incidents. Economic news highlights job cuts tied to artificial intelligence expansion, regulatory shifts affecting Bitcoin, rising producer prices, and declining rental costs. Internationally, energy policy debates intensify in the United Kingdom, while leadership changes and slowing growth projections shape developments in China. Cultural coverage includes public-health debates and music releases, while entertainment updates note strong viewership for new television projects from producer Taylor Sheridan. Medical reporting focuses on legal disputes affecting vaccine injury reporting and emerging neurological research. The roundup concludes with a historical curiosity involving the discovery of an ancient Phoenician coin in modern-day transit circulation."}