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CNN 5 Things

Pentagon Press Policy Ruling, Trump Downplays Ceasefire, CBS News Layoffs and more

CNN 5 Things

CNN

Daily News, News

3.7 • 1.3K Ratings

🗓️ 20 March 2026

⏱️ 6 minutes

🧾️ Download transcript

Summary

We start with a major blow to the Defense secretary’s restrictive press policy he rolled out last year. President Donald Trump lashed out at NATO allies again over the Strait of Hormuz and weighed in on the prospects of a ceasefire with Iran. The Transportation secretary gave a bleak outlook on air travel without a funding deal. The Trump administration slapped a new multibillion-dollar lawsuit against Harvard University. It’s the end of an era for CBS News Radio amid another round of layoffs. Plus, details on how the White House wants to regulate AI nationwide. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit podcastchoices.com/adchoices

Transcript

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0:00.0

Hey, from CNN. I'm Afoma DK, with the five things you need to know for Friday, March 20th.

0:07.5

A federal judge in Washington has invalidated parts of a policy that would have given the Pentagon more control over press coverage.

0:14.6

The judge said the measures were unconstitutional. The ruling can be appealed. Visit CNN.com for more details.

0:22.3

President Donald Trump called NATO allies cowards for not helping open the Strait of Hormuz,

0:27.4

which Iran has effectively shut down.

0:29.7

On truth social, he said that's the reason for high oil prices and claimed that the fight

0:33.8

to stop Iran was, quote, militarily won.

0:36.7

From a military standpoint, all they're doing is clogging up the straight.

0:40.5

But from a military standpoint, they're finished.

0:44.2

That's Trump speaking to reporters outside the White House before leaving for Florida on Air Force One.

0:49.3

He also downplayed the prospects of a ceasefire with Iran.

0:52.7

You don't do a ceasefire when you're literally obliterating the other side.

0:57.0

Benchmark oil prices fell to $110 a barrel, but analysts at Goldman Sachs warned prices could stay elevated through 2027.

1:05.0

Meanwhile, officials tell CNN thousands more U.S. Marines and sailors are headed toward the Middle East as the war enters its

1:11.0

fourth week. And Iran's new Supreme Leader has issued what appears to be a second major

1:15.3

statement read out on state television without audio or video since he was chosen to succeed

1:20.1

his father earlier this month. In the message he called for unity within Iran and claimed he had

1:25.0

ridden the streets of Tehran anonymously in a taxi.

1:32.7

He also said security must be denied to all of Iran's enemies, following the killing of a senior intelligence minister earlier this week. More news coming up, including new legal roles for Harvard.

1:40.3

An engineer around the corner, whenever you need, British gas have over 6,000 on route at speed.

1:47.0

Fixing lights that won't light or have started to blink,

1:50.0

a pipe with a leak and that weird smell under the sink.

...

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